breednet.com.au

All Roads Lead to Blue Diamond for Exceed And Excel's Zulfiqar

Mark Smith - Saturday February 4

Godolphin's Exceed And Excel colt Zulfiqar ran up to his debut win in the Listed VRC Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington last October, with a game front-running triumph in Saturday's Group III Lamaro's Hotel Chairman's Stakes (1000m) at Sandown-Hillside.

Zulfiqar is Blue Diamond bound (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Ben Melham for James Cummings, Zulfiqar found the lead from his inside barrier. The favourite Veecee was caught three deep, although Ethan Brown still had a handful of horse when asked for the supreme effort.

Veecee levelled up, but Zulfiqar began to rally and pulled clear to defeat the Capitalist colt Veecee by one and a quarter lengths, with the Showtime debutant Tacit a further length and a quarter back in third.

Born on July 31 2020, Zulfiqar carries the 1 over 2 brand indicating he was the first foal for Godolphin born that year.

The son of Exceed And Excel followed his winning career debut in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes with a fifth, as favourite, in the Group III Maribyrnong Plate on the same track a month later.

Ben Melham said Zulfiqar had taken benefit from the break.

"He has definitely come back a better horse," Melham said.

"James (Cummings) said he was the first foal born on the farm, so that has to count for something.

"He was able to control the race, get to the right part of the track.

Advertisement

"There is no doubt (about the 1200m of the Blue Diamond. He is a sensible horse and was strong through the line.

"He will run well in the Diamond."

Zulfiqar is the first live foal of the winning Elusive Quality mare Sayf Shamal (USA). While she carries the USA suffix, Sayf Shamal (USA) is a daughter of the STC Magic Night Stakes winner Alizes (Rory's Jester).

Alizes is the dam of Godolphin's blue hen Essaouira (Exceed and Excel).

A three-quarter sister to Zulfiqar, Essaouira is the dam of Group 1 winners Alizee and Astern and stakes-placed Tassort and Mogador.

Frankel covered Sayf Shamal (USA) before she was shipped to Australia, but unfortunately, she slipped.

The daughter of Elusive Quality (USA) has a yearling brother to Zulfiqar and a filly foal by Lonhro. She revisited Exceed And Excel last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Lamaro's Hotel Chairman's Stks Gr3 1000m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Soft(6) Time: 0:59.33
1
Zulfiqar
- 2c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Sayf Shamal (USA) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Melham 59
2
1.3
Veecee
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Isabella (AUS) (Poet's Voice (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ethan Brown 59
3
3.1
Tacito
- 2c Showtime (AUS) x Without Saying (AUS) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 57
4
3.7
Serasana
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Twilight Royale (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: D Yendall 57
5
6.0
Written Bligh
- 2f Written By (AUS) x Lady Bligh (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 55
6
7.7
Hells Son
- 2g Hellbent (AUS) x Mowgli (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Dale Rdr: J Bowditch 57
7
11.0
Miss Burgoyne
- 2f Capitalist (AUS) x Silk Sheets (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 55
8
11.2
Perilous Fighter
- 2c Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Beauty School (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: Craig Williams 57
More Reading...
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Exceed And Excel Quinella in Maribyrnong Trial
Exceed And Excel may have missed with the $1,200,000 colt Mach Ten in the Breeders’ Plate at Randwick, but he struck shortly after with the Godolphin homebred Zulfiqar in the Listed Darley Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington.